or CEPHALLENIA, the largest of the islands constituting the Ionian republic. It was known in Homer's time by the names of Samos and Epirus Melena, is about forty miles in length, twenty in breadth, and a hundred and thirty in compass. It had anciently four cities, one of which bore the name of the island. Strabo tells us, that in his time there were only two cities remaining; but Pliny speaks of three; adding, that the ruins of Same, which had been destroyed by the Romans, were still in being. Same was the metropolis of the island, and is supposed to have stood in the place which the Italians call Porto Guiscardo. It contains now three small towns, 150 villages, and 60,000 inhabitants. This island was subdied by the Thebans, under the conduct of Amphitryon, who is said to have killed Pterelas, who then reigned here. After it had been long in subjection to the Thebans, it fell under the power of the Macedonians, and was taken from them by the Ætolians, who held it till it was reduced by M. Fulvius Nobilior, who having gained the metropolis after a four months siege, sold all the citizens for slaves, adding the whole island to the dominions of the republic. It was subject to the Venetians from the year 1449 till the peace of Campo Formio in 1797. It was taken from the French in 1799, and formed into an independent commonwealth. It was again brought under the dominion of the French in 1807, but was taken by the British in 1809, and continues under their protection. See Ionian Isles, Supplement.